Coupled Phase-Variable Expression and Epitope Masking of Selective Surface Lipoproteins Increase Surface Phenotypic Diversity in Mycoplasma hominis
Open Access
- 1 August 2001
- journal article
- Published by American Society for Microbiology in Infection and Immunity
- Vol. 69 (8), 5177-5181
- https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.69.8.5177-5181.2001
Abstract
A new mechanism expanding mycoplasmal surface diversity is described. Exposure of surface epitopes on a constitutively expressed membrane protein (P56) of Mycoplasma hominis was subject to high-frequency phase variation due to phase-variable expression of the P120 antigen and its selective masking of P56 epitopes. Phase-variable masking may confer previously unrealized adaptive capabilities on mycoplasmas.Keywords
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